Marxist evenings out: friendly pubs, discussion groups, club nights?

[Eivets Rednow]

I know this is a bit unusual but I’m trying to learn more about Marxism and I think it might help if I can talk to people in person about left wing politics, generally.

I get the opportunity to go out in London some evenings during the working week, and I’m looking for places where I can have conversations with people who want to discuss Marxist theory, whether that’s in a pub, discussion group or some kind of obscure night club (I have fond memories of Passing Clouds…).

Does anyone have any recommendations?

 

[petee]

i've been attending some of these for many years. online, so you can attend wherever you are.

Events Archive - Marxist Education Project

 

[The39thStep]

I know this is a bit unusual but I’m trying to learn more about Marxism and I think it might help if I can talk to people in person about left wing politics, generally.

I get the opportunity to go out in London some evenings during the working week, and I’m looking for places where I can have conversations with people who want to discuss Marxist theory, whether that’s in a pub, discussion group or some kind of obscure night club (I have fond memories of Passing Clouds…).

Does anyone have any recommendations?

You'll probably be pestered to join but have a look online for public meetings held by the SWP or Socialist Party on Marxism etc. I used to pop into them (the SP were Militant then and SWP were called International Socialists ) as well as the odd Communist Party one as I knew other trade unionists who went to them. Normally a speaker and they have a bookstall . If they pester you about joining just say you are still learning , having a look around . People learn in different ways and mine was to do something , discuss and see how Marxism offered an explanation of not just the world we live in but what was needed to change it.

 

[Eivets Rednow]

The39thStep I’ve been part of this SWP in the long ago past, they had me trying to hand out leaflets, distribute newspapers, go door to door canvassing for elections… it was quite an experience! I remember the phone call interview with millions of questions and the meeting in a coffee shop to assess my suitability as a new member. I wouldn’t want to get involved with them again, it was a bit too intense, and they demand too much from people, it sort of fucks people over a bit if they’re associated with them.

 

[danny la rouge]

The39thStep I’ve been part of this SWP in the long ago past, they had me trying to hand out leaflets, distribute newspapers, go door to door canvassing for elections… it was quite an experience! I remember the phone call interview with millions of questions and the meeting in a coffee shop to assess my suitability as a new member. I wouldn’t want to get involved with them again, it was a bit too intense, and they demand too much from people, it sort of fucks people over a bit if they’re associated with them.

Yeah, I’d honestly steer clear.

If you were to join an organisation, I’d steer you in the direction of the CWO. But there’s no need to join any.

Do you know David Harvey’s videos?

 

[PTK]

The39thStep I’ve been part of this SWP in the long ago past, they had me trying to hand out leaflets, distribute newspapers, go door to door canvassing for elections… it was quite an experience! I remember the phone call interview with millions of questions and the meeting in a coffee shop to assess my suitability as a new member. I wouldn’t want to get involved with them again, it was a bit too intense, and they demand too much from people, it sort of fucks people over a bit if they’re associated with them.

Really? That is not the (British) SWP with which most of us are familiar.

 

[PTK]

Yeah, I’d honestly steer clear.

If you were to join an organisation, I’d steer you in the direction of the CWO. But there’s no need to join any.

Do you know David Harvey’s videos?

David Harvey is here:


There is also a set of videos by the late Stephen Resnick.

 

[Pickman's model]

Yeah, I’d honestly steer clear.

If you were to join an organisation, I’d steer you in the direction of the CWO. But there’s no need to join any.

Do you know David Harvey’s videos?

Sadly the class war organisation is long defunct

 

[danny la rouge]

Sadly the class war organisation is long defunct

Another CWO.

 

[RevolutionSound]

Another CWO.

Conservative Women's Organisation - Conservative Women's Organisation

conservativewomen.uk

 

[danny la rouge]

Conservative Women's Organisation - Conservative Women's Organisation

conservativewomen.uk

Don’t mock. The jam is wonderful.

 

[PTK]

With the removal of the great majority of phone boxes, groups such as the CWO have a much smaller choice of venues.

 

[magneze]

I was part of a reading group that regularly met up in the pub to discuss Capital. IIRC, we'd all agree what to read by the next meeting so we all had a common point of reference. Whilst I can't speak for all the others I found it a really useful way of digesting and understanding it. We got a long way through volume 1 but life must have intervened and it fizzled out after a couple of years. This is more than 10 years ago.

Not sure if this is the sort of thing you mean but if you can find the people and a pub it's not difficult to do. You don't need a ton of people, we had 4 I think and it worked well.

 

[Eivets Rednow]

Hi magneze yeah maybe I need to set one up myself.

As for Class War stuff, I don’t find that kind of initial framing helpful. I’d like to be able to get my head around Marx without the overall feeling of being at war. People can get a bit too excited and it derails the conversation. I’m giddy enough already, I don’t want to be drawn in to anything that distracts. My motive: there’s an academic problem I’m trying to solve at the moment, and I think understanding Marx more will lead to a new perspective.

 

[Eivets Rednow]

Yeah, I’d honestly steer clear.

If you were to join an organisation, I’d steer you in the direction of the CWO. But there’s no need to join any.

Do you know David Harvey’s videos?

I watched quite a few of his videos a couple of years ago, they were good. But it is his voice, and I’d like to discuss it with more people who might have a different take on specific elements of language!

 

[danny la rouge]

I watched quite a few of his videos a couple of years ago, they were good. But it is his voice, and I’d like to discuss it with more people who might have a different take on specific elements of language!

That’s good. I mean he’s not right about everything either.

 

[RevolutionSound]

 

[Fozzie Bear]

This would be good I think but perhaps too specific.

Critisticuffs — Capital reading group in London

critisticuffs.org

Starts Jan 13th.

 

[Eivets Rednow]

This would be good I think but perhaps too specific.

Critisticuffs — Capital reading group in London

critisticuffs.org

Starts Jan 13th.

That looks great but is unfortunately on an evening I’m not available! I’m also not sure I want to limit myself to Capital.

 

[The39thStep]

The39thStep I’ve been part of this SWP in the long ago past, they had me trying to hand out leaflets, distribute newspapers, go door to door canvassing for elections… it was quite an experience! I remember the phone call interview with millions of questions and the meeting in a coffee shop to assess my suitability as a new member. I wouldn’t want to get involved with them again, it was a bit too intense, and they demand too much from people, it sort of fucks people over a bit if they’re associated with them.

Ok , it was just a suggestion about actually discussing Marxism face to face with people who are Marxists who involved in activity and unions and who hold public meetings where there's a speaker etc. I wasn't aware they now did phone interviews and assessed suitability tbh , that sort of stuff used to be the preserve of the more Trotsky's death mask /5th International types.

Of course there is online stuff but it's not the same as meeting and discussing with local activists , learning from self activity etc .Marxism should be what you do on the picket line imo.

 

[Eivets Rednow]

Ok , it was just a suggestion about actually discussing Marxism face to face with people who are Marxists who involved in activity and unions and who hold public meetings where there's a speaker etc. I wasn't aware they now did phone interviews and assessed suitability tbh , that sort of stuff used to be the preserve of the more Trotsky's death mask /5th International types.

Of course there is online stuff but it's not the same as meeting and discussing with local activists , learning from self activity etc .Marxism should be what you do on the picket line imo.

I agree, it’s not the same to learn online. I would like to meet real people again, which is just so difficult these days!

I’m currently observing the influence of Marxism away from the picket line and in “polite society”. That’s quite an eye opener! And not what people expect.

 

[hitmouse]

Yeah, I’d honestly steer clear.

If you were to join an organisation, I’d steer you in the direction of the CWO. But there’s no need to join any.

I actually went to a CWO meeting the other month, I was more-than-half expecting to be one of the youngest people there, so it was both a pleasant and an unpleasant surprise to find that I was actually one of the oldest.
I think MayDay Rooms might be relevant to what OP is looking for? They don't seem to have any upcoming events listed on their website, though:

MayDayRooms

maydayrooms.org

And Notes From Below normally have launch events for their new editions, if that's of any interest:

Notes from Below · Luma

Notes from Below is on Luma. Connect with them and attend their events.

lu.ma

Ah, seems like they are helping host an upcoming university rank-and-file meeting, which is confusingly at MayDay after all:

January University Rank-and-File meeting · Luma

We're organising the next Rank-and-File University workers meeting to discuss where next in higher education and anti-casualisation campaigns. We have a…

lu.ma

Is that any use?

 

[hitmouse]

Oh, and not really my preferred flavour of Marxism, but here's what's on at the Marx Memorial Library, although most of their events seem to be online as well:

Events | Marx Memorial Library

www.marx-memorial-library.org.uk

Don't know if anarchist history walks would be your thing, but if they are then look no further than this thread I suppose:

Anarchist History Walks- Fitzrovia and East End

Thinking of taking up again with my Anarchist History Walks around Fitzrovia and the East End, especially with the coming of spring. If any of you are interested let me know. Donations to the Walks would go to the Anarchist Communist Group.

www.urban75.net

 

[petee]

Oh, and not really my preferred flavour of Marxism, but here's what's on at the Marx Memorial Library, although most of their events seem to be online as well:

Events | Marx Memorial Library

www.marx-memorial-library.org.uk

the Antifascist 1930s lecture looked interesting but when i went to register it took me someplace else entirely.

 

[hitmouse]

the Antifascist 1930s lecture looked interesting but when i went to register it took me someplace else entirely.

Oh, to here?

Trade Union and Working Class History - GFTU Educational Trust

gftuet.org.uk

I think it is the same thing, it's just a weird thing where they list all the events in the series on one page and have one button to register for all of them:

Spring Term: 16th January 2025 – General Strike 1926

Spring Term: 20th February 2025 – Anti-fascism 1930s/40s

Spring Term: 20th March 2025 – Ford Dagenham women

Spring Term: 17th April 2025 – Liaison Committee – New Rank & File Organisation

Summer Term: 15th May 2025 – Miners’ Strike 1974

Summer Term: 5th June 2025 – The Wapping Dispute & Printworker Organisation (In-person session: Marx Memorial Library, London)

Summer Term: 19th June 2025 – Imperial Typewriters 1974

Summer Term: 17th July 2025 – Grunwick 1976

Please note: You only need to sign up once to access all sessions.

 

[petee]

Oh, to here?

Trade Union and Working Class History - GFTU Educational Trust

gftuet.org.uk

I think it is the same thing, it's just a weird thing where they list all the events in the series on one page and have one button to register for all of them:

Spring Term: 16th January 2025 – General Strike 1926

Spring Term: 20th February 2025 – Anti-fascism 1930s/40s

Spring Term: 20th March 2025 – Ford Dagenham women

Spring Term: 17th April 2025 – Liaison Committee – New Rank & File Organisation

Summer Term: 15th May 2025 – Miners’ Strike 1974

Summer Term: 5th June 2025 – The Wapping Dispute & Printworker Organisation (In-person session: Marx Memorial Library, London)

Summer Term: 19th June 2025 – Imperial Typewriters 1974

Summer Term: 17th July 2025 – Grunwick 1976

Please note: You only need to sign up once to access all sessions.

right, thanks! i saw that but wanted to register only for the one presentation and thought i'd flubbed it!

 

[hitmouse]

I really don't understand why they would have one button to register for about twelve different events. I suppose it's convenient if you want to attend more than one, but at the cost of being quite confusing if you're only interested in going to one.

 

[The39thStep]

Oh, to here?

Trade Union and Working Class History - GFTU Educational Trust

gftuet.org.uk

I think it is the same thing, it's just a weird thing where they list all the events in the series on one page and have one button to register for all of them:

Spring Term: 16th January 2025 – General Strike 1926

Spring Term: 20th February 2025 – Anti-fascism 1930s/40s

Spring Term: 20th March 2025 – Ford Dagenham women

Spring Term: 17th April 2025 – Liaison Committee – New Rank & File Organisation

Summer Term: 15th May 2025 – Miners’ Strike 1974

Summer Term: 5th June 2025 – The Wapping Dispute & Printworker Organisation (In-person session: Marx Memorial Library, London)

Summer Term: 19th June 2025 – Imperial Typewriters 1974

Summer Term: 17th July 2025 – Grunwick 1976

Please note: You only need to sign up once to access all sessions.

The April meeting looks interesting The Liaison Committe was the CPGB's Liason Committee for the Defence of Trade Unions which was set up in response or out of a smaller alliance between militants from the International Socialists, dissident CPGB members and some CPGB members. The IS later launched the National Rank and File Movement. Whereas the LC was pretty much a Broad Left orientated organisation which included regional and full time officials , the NRFM was mainly shop steward based.

There is a readable summary, although from my politics there are some issues and debates , here in this paper

https://www.researchgate.net/figure...fence-of-Trade-Unions-19661973_tbl1_229810384

 

[hitmouse]

The April meeting looks interesting The Liaison Committe was the CPGB's Liason Committee for the Defence of Trade Unions which was set up in response or out of a smaller alliance between militants from the International Socialists, dissident CPGB members and some CPGB members. The IS later launched the National Rank and File Movement. Whereas the LC was pretty much a Broad Left orientated organisation which included regional and full time officials , the NRFM was mainly shop steward based.

There is a readable summary, although from my politics there are some issues and debates , here in this paper

https://www.researchgate.net/figure...fence-of-Trade-Unions-19661973_tbl1_229810384

Is that roughly around the time of the Pentonville dockers, Shrewsbury pickets, 1972 and all that? I did think the in-person session on syndicalism at the WCML looked interesting as well (as do the others, but I can't really concentrate on zoom stuff), but had something else on the same night in the end.

 

[The39thStep]

Is that roughly around the time of the Pentonville dockers, Shrewsbury pickets, 1972 and all that? I did think the in-person session on syndicalism at the WCML looked interesting as well (as do the others, but I can't really concentrate on zoom stuff), but had something else on the same night in the end.

Yup , huge agitation over wages and against In Place of Strife however these were mainly sectional or site based .The LCDTU and the NRFM were attempts to pull together national and cross union links, support and coordination.